THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Judicial recounts in Surrey-Guilford and Kelowna-Centre will determine whether it is a majority or minority.
BC NDP leader David Eby will form British Columbia’s next government. It is the NDP’s third consecutive term in office. Pending the outcome of judicial recounts (triggered by Elections BC when the margin between the top two candidates is less than 1/500th of the ballots cast) in Surrey-Guilford and Kelowna Centre, the BC NDP will form either a minority or majority government.
As it currently stands the BC NDP is leading or elected in 47 ridings, the BC Conservatives are leading or elected in 44 ridings, and the BC Green Party is leading or elected in two ridings, with the outcome of the election pending the results of the judicial recount in Surrey-Guilford. As of the final count of absentee and mail-in ballots, NDP incumbent Garry Begg leads Conservative Honveer Singh Randhawa by 27 votes.
Historically, judicial recounts have not changed election results in British Columbia.
A majority requires 47 seats in the BC Legislature. If the BC NDP are elected in Surrey-Guilford, they will form a majority government and eliminate the need for the party to sign a confidence and supply agreement with the BC Greens. However, given that the NDP would carry a single-seat majority, and the speaker is likely to be elected from the NDP caucus, if the opposition collectively votes against NDP legislation, the speaker would be forced to cast the tie-breaking vote. It will serve the government to continue its working relationship with the BC Greens.
The judicial recounts in Surrey-Guilford and Kelowna-Centre will be conducted by the Supreme Court of British Columbia. According to the Elections Act, the earliest they can start is seven days after the final count is rendered by Elections BC.
Premier Eby addressed the province on October 29
David Eby commented on the need to address concerns from voters on affordability, ensure a strong healthcare system delivers for British Columbians, and said that he heard concerns from the electorate on Public Safety. He reaffirmed that the NDP will work across the aisle to address these concerns, concerns the BC Conservatives rose to their Official Opposition status on.
He said his first priorities as Premier will be to appoint cabinet, elect a speaker and get the legislature back in session as soon as possible.
Eby will meet with the BC Greens on October 29 and invited all MLA’s from every party to work with him to address the concerns of the electorate. He will await the results of the judicial recounts to appoint cabinet and a speaker. When questioned by media, he did not rule out the possibility of electing a Conservative speaker.
Pending the results and timing of the judicial recount, Eby said he will work to get MLA’s back to the legislature in Victoria this fall.
What does this mean?
BC’s next government will take shape in the days and weeks ahead.
Among the most prominent seats lost by the BC NDP were those held by Minister of Land, Water and Resource Stewardship, Nathan Cullen, Minister of Agriculture, Pam Alexis, and Minister of Education, Rachna Singh.
At least 12 of 28 current cabinet ministers will be replaced. These include those not re-elected and the former Ministers of Finance, the Environment, Indigenous Reconciliation, Infrastructure and Transportation, and Labour.
Premier Eby’s first task upon being re-elected to office is to form his next cabinet and to issue the respective ministers their mandate letters, which will direct cabinet members on their respective priorities and policy objectives.
What happens next?
Over the course of the coming month MLAs will be sworn in, cabinet will be formed, and mandate letters will be delivered. Key staff appointments will also be decided.
NATIONAL will continue to monitor these developments closely in the days and weeks ahead and remains available to assist you to navigate British Columbia’s next government.
Given the slim majority in the legislature, NATIONAL recommends that organizations adopt a multi-partisan approach in their efforts to influence policy and legislation, engaging the BC Greens and BC Conservatives, as well as the government.
We will provide updates and strategic counsel as MLAs are sworn in, cabinet is formed, mandate letters are delivered, and the assembly first convenes to elect a speaker.
With the new government set to take shape, now is the time to start your work and develop your proactive government relations plans and strategies.
We remain available to assist all organizations as they navigate British Columbia’s next government and regulatory framework.
